: : *, a § ; , } = é a = aes BHL BARNES ROARS THROUGH THE SKIES TO ANOTHER AMAZING ADVENTURE MODELS - FEATURES + SHORT STORIES + NEWSwana HS HEE Pa OR IN OTHER WORDS AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCES A NEW 1-8 INCH TO THE FOOT SOLID SCALE “DEALERS” ‘We have an attractive profitable $5.00 special assortment, sent C.0.D. anywhere in the United States, in ordering use NOTE. These, ate actual photo business letter head. graphs of models. built from GRAFT kits. "| Aaaz0%5 AIRCRAFT, 3502 NORTH CICERO AVE., DEPT. B.5, CHICAGO‘chances for the future? imy suggestions for the improves rs to your Inck of ina fs your Tuck of 0 wn \ Fe re alee eee nee if means—and are getting itt g this eoupon to Seranton. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS BOX 4934, SCRANTON, % Without cost or obligation, please send me a copy of your booklet, “Who Wins and Why,” & and full particulars about the subject before which I have marked X: TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL COURSES Alero ttna AT EAIL ALL TRAILS ‘A STREET & SMITH PUBLICATION VOL. Vi JUNE, 1936 ‘Of al UB. Nery ets CAPTAIN CONTENTS aay Bill Barnes Air Novel: Be eerentt vox nant Brethren Of Death = Cook. He will assume the treasure whose weird glow infumed men's reed unt PestetTehiellcfke| Borece the skies ‘echoed with builet-borne hate! of Agronautics vacated by by George L. Eaton pea Admiral Ernest King, This Month’s Features: whose tour of duty expires esWrees ai becene THIS WINGED WORLD. . » . . 1 1 kg eeeaer pce ra become A graphie review of what's new in the ait. ef i ae DEVELOPMENT OF MAIL PLANES. . . . 19 mander. Captain Cook, ike Tabloid glimpses of flying progress. Rear Admiral King, was o THE WORLD'S BIGGEST AIRCRAFT. by John DuBarry 20 navy man for several years A bow-to-stern survey of the L2-129'dirigible before aireraft began to be THE FLIER'S DICTIONARY. < by C. B. Colby 27 considered seriously as Tasteument Panel—ninth lesson in technical terminoloey. service arm, He came to THE AUTOGYRO JOINS THE ARMY. by Frank Tinsley 30 About “windmill” craft and the ship on the cover. Annapolis from Evansville, elie al ite ecalteras PICTORIAL HISTORY OF MANINTHE AIR . . 33 epee bi ies . More episodes for an atronautic scrapbook. sr duct zl pe THE CURTISS NAVY III HAWK... by G. Christy 39 yereupon began o busy ca- Solid-mode! plans of a favorite combat plane, reer that carried him aboard AERONCA STEPS OUT... by Albert J. Carlson 40 12 ships end into many shore ‘Details of a popular design and a model contest. stations, He caught up with AIR TRAILS GALLERY . . 45 aviation in 1928 at Penso- A page of pictures of modern pianes for the collector. cola, qual IT’S A FACT THAT. peed 5 a0 ter. Since then he has Fs served in several cir jobs, | Short Stories: ‘among them commander of SMUGGLER'S WINGS... by Jack Straley 24 ipa earrserale Uoneley “feral Death stalked the clouds for the Coast Gaard pilot c He will take HOT AIRHEROES.. . . by George Swift 28 Matisetem cra ce ‘No, I—Péter G, Jones (Propavash Pete) he shonly becomes heed | Departments: a eteel bare eviction THE MODEL WORKSHOP —. Conducted by Gordon S. Light 34 Fi the famous Sky Flee, from complete plans and instructions? WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? .. Conducted by Clyde Pangborn 42 Two pages of interesting expert information. AIR ADVENTURERS CLUB Conducted by Albert J. Carlson 44 Coiling Unlimited—a prediction for the future, (Cover Painting by Frank Tinsley) Next Month: moat Single Copy, 10 Cents Yearly Subscription, $1.00 THE ge eid by yeh sd wnt ern i LANCER STRIKES A great Bill Barnes novel in 1 bigger magazine packed surprises! STREET & SMITH PUBLICATIONS, INC, 79 7th W YORK,N.¥.Bill Barnes—Air Trails Will Be Bigger Next Month The magazine has grown in the favor of aviation readers until it becomes necessary to increase its size in order to in- clude all the features the readers demand. There has been an increasing number of requests for more models, more pictures, more special articles, more stories, more of everything—and there hasn’t been room enough between its covers! So—we are giving you more—of everything NEXT MONTH _ The July issue will carry the finest collection of author- itative model plans we can assemble; including flying models and scale models. In addition to the Bill Barnes Novel there will be novel- ettes and short stories of the air. More fiction! We will have room for more photographs, more features —more of everything that goes to make up the finest aviation magazine on the news stands. Watch for it. Mention it to your friends. BILL BARNES—AIR TRAILS is going ahead with its program of expansion. It has every worthwhile feature in aviation. The bigger, more complete magazine will be 15c per copy. You'll like it better. Don’t miss the July Bill Barnes—Air Trails 15c per copy Out in June 15c per copySTEARMAN NS-1 primary trainers, part of the fleet of 61 recently delivered to the navy fer cadet instruction, line up before the air training sHotion at Pensax cola. Engines ere 220 hip. Wrights. BEAR hunting with camera seems to be hobby of Igor Sikorsky, fomed plane designer, shown on vocation ot Miami. ONE-EYED monster; akin to Cyclops of ancient myth (the men’s looking it up) pleases Delta pilots who differed on lo- cation of lights. Other light is in Lock- heed Elecira’s left wing. SNOW may fall end thermometer freeze sol formy Martin bombers weather it out d tocties with portable shelters.DRESS parade and in- spection brings out the band, with everybody slicked up ond the FLOOD from Connecticut River covered Hortford's airport 14 feet deep, hindering hore the fine relief work done by plones d ing spring disasters. © good argu: ment for amphibians! in at different ‘Those pictures were token con the "Furious," 10,100-ton former cruiser converted fier the war. At left, circrafts- ‘men are hard at work changing @ Fairey IIl-F to seoplane use. WHAT'S this below? ‘Aro these the furious fliers, the doughty warriors of the sky? ‘ep, and they're play- ing @ game of hockey after the day's work. SPILLING the wind out of e parachute {son art thot hos to be learned. Judg- ing from the patches visible in tho silk this “aerial lifebel!” has suffered con- siderable practice.6 BILL BARNES D stands for Deutschland in the international registration number of the 12-129; Ger- many also displays the Nezi insignia and odver FRANCE'S Farman F-221 all- metal bomber looks business: like. In that aggressive nose, besides gunner's cockpit, ore bomb releases for the load of destruction corried within the fuselage. Four engines ore ‘orranged in puller-and-pusher pairs. Top speed is 171 mph. CONTRAST in Uncle Sam's bombers is shown at side ond below. Recognize the Keystone B-6A of the left? This “old re- Treble," pictured ready to leave , Texas, on recent moss flight of 24 army replace ment planes to the Canal Zone, “siruts" through the oir on two 875 hp. Cyclones ot 0 top speed of 121 mph. Boeing's 299 below, 13 of which are on order, flies twico os fost and two oF three times os far!AIR TRAILS PORTUGAL, whose insignia con be seen under lower wing, is adding six Blackbun Shark folding-wing recon- noissance-bombers to its ait force. Here's one proparing for test. It doos 152 on 14-cylinder Tiger. SHEEP sorve es lawnmowers on England's Lympne airport. When @ plane wants to land, the shepherd's dog drives them off in a jiffy. TRAGIC transport came to light cfter five months! submersion in Great Salt Lake. The Douglas DC-2 of the Stenderd Oil Com- pany disoppeored Oct. 6 with Iwo pilots and mechanic on flight to Alameda. Located alter long search, it was towed under water 23 miles by tugboats to railroad trestle for hoisting.BRETHREN of DEATH Living skeletons, they came to regain a deadly treasure that cast a shroud of hate over bullet-streaked skies! by George L. EatonA Great Bill Barnes Novel of Air Adventure| a cmaellaiiaaattail ai long-term convict, hard-eyed and pinch-faced, Thess ing Sing Sing’s recreation yard, brushed past the youth who was to be paroled the next day, and said from motionless lips: “Go see Nick Laznick.” The craven, yellow-skinned killer, slipping. through the croxded Singapore strects, heard a stifled voice ‘Nick Laznick in New Yor The suave confidence man, lolling back in his Iuxuri- ous suite in the Hotel Imperial in Melbourne, Australia. said softly into the telephone: “Nick Laznick sent me.” The brutal-faced sailor, leaning across the stained bar in Nome, Alaska, motioned the barkeep to him and muttered: “It’s a Nick Lazick job.’ The name was carried by hushed whispers from un- derworld to underworld; from London's Whitechapel to San Francisco's Chinatown; from the dives of Cairo to the night clubs of Chicago. It purred into cautious ‘ars and out of guarded mouths. It spread like an evil plague and became not only a name, but a legend—a symbol of the might and power of organized crime. It brought hope to some and to others, terror. It crossed the hearing of the murderer, Captain Greg- ‘ory Slade, more than once in his headlong flight from England and the man hunters of Scotland Yard. He heard it murmured on the high seas as he labored, hid- den, in the hold of the freighter. He heard it in the dives of Rio de Janeiro and along the wharves. He heard it again a5 he sweated in the engine room of the finer bound for the United States and New York. The name was ever before him, vibrating through his senses, bringing the only ray of comfort to his never- ‘ending nightmare of blood, It drew him finally from the belly of the ship as she lay docked in the East River. Tr guided his furtive steps along Manhattan's teeming thoroughfares and brought him, cautious and wary, into the gloom of the clevated tracks which roofed Third Street, It directed his eyes to a brownstone house and to a large neon sign that blazed outside, He read the words: THE DECK. Then the tiaunt- ing fear that had tormented his twisted [ite soul abated. ‘The feverish pilgrimage to the mecca of evil was over. Before him was shelter from pursuit—the headquarters of the fabled crime dlirector—the head quarters of Nicholas Laznick. He stepped rapidly under the green canvas canopy and up the dull, red-stone steps, “He pushed through plate-glass doors and stopped, blinking, in a dimly illu- minated anteroom. He saw a man in dress clothes glide out from the shadows, Slade wet his lips to speak, But all the confidence and glibness that had once been hhis suddenly deserted him. He realized that all his pent-up, terror-stricken hopes had been based on ru- mor alone. Stumbling, meaningless words came to his lips and died unspoken The man beckoned, ttrned and went down a narrow: passageway. A door was thrown open and Slade was ‘motioned through. ‘The door closed behind him, and his guide vanished without uttering a word. Slade stood motionless, suddenly acutely awvare of his unkempt appearance. The windowless room was Insuri- ‘ously furnished, and beyond, throngh an_ opening, gleamed a tiled’ bathroom. Ciothing was laid out on the single bed. And Slade, hardened to the sequence of strange events, could scarcely stifle a gasp of amaze- ‘ment as he inspected the clothes. The suit was of heavy brown tweed, the precise style BILL BARNES. and quality he had alway ‘The underclothes, the white broadcloth shirt, the socks, were his correct size, On the floor was a pair of heavy Scotch brogues, periect as to fit and taste. On the dresser were gloves, tic, soft hat and a cane, The entire outfit, from shocs to hat, was as perfect as if he, the once-discriminating dresser, had himself chosen it He inspected the bathroom, and his eyes widened in nt, The bathtub was filled with water, heated! to the right bathing temperature. On a gleaming shelf, shaving equipment had been neatly laid out. ‘He eagerly bathed, shaved and dressed, He stood in front of the full-length mirror, arrayed in his new gar- iments, and stepped back to strvey himself, His tong, lean face was pink from the soap and the razor. He stroked his inky-black mustache, flattened his thick eye- brows and wet his lips. He straightened his shoulders and smirked in delightful appreciation of the tall, well- groomed, distinguished man in the glass. Gone was the slinking, filthy fugitive from justice, Tn his place was once again the smooth, confident Captain Gregory: Slade—the polished gentleman adventurer, the poised craftsman and the dangerous foe. Gone, 1oo— or rapidly dimming—was the fear that, had remained his constant companion for months, And fainter now in his ears, almost indistinguishable, was the death. rat- tle of his slaughtered victiin. [He had come to Nick Lazniek—and a miracle had happened. He smoothed hack his sleek, black hair, thrust his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. His smirk turned into a fatigh. And his old conceit swept back in an intoxicating rush. Laznick had obviously known and prepared for his coming. Lazuick had heard of his brilliant operations in England and on the Continent, Laznick could over- look his one blunder when rage had superseded judg- rent and he liad Killed, Laznick knew a criminal genius when he saw one. He would be coming soon (o confer—perhaps even to propose that they make an alliance—the brains of Europe and the brains of America, Tt would be as well to he prepared to offer a brilliant scheme that would dazzle even the great erime director. ‘The germ of such a sclieme had been resting in Slade’s mind ever since hie had overheard some confidential information on board information of the secret activities of the world- famous ace, Bill Barnes. He turned from his sclf-adulation, selected a cigarette from a container and dropped into a comfortable chair. He lay back, smoking, mulling over the enormous prof its that would certainly be gained by his daring plan. And he waited in a rosy glow of speculation for the expected visit. But no one came, No sound was heard. Latent curiosity took Slade to the one door in the room—the door through which he had entered. Tt was only then that he perceived that it was a solid-metal slab, fitted y into the wall, without knob or projection of hinges. den spring and, roughly against the panel finding none, applied his shoulder ‘The door held, firm and unyielding. And, with vague misgivings, he realized that he was—a prisoner. OF NICHOLAS LAZNICK'S history prior to 1930, there was little, if anything, known. Hie had suddenlyAIR TRAILS come into notice that year when he had purchased a rn- down Bohemian restaurant on Third Strect in Green- wich Village, With a lavish hand, he fad converted the ground floor into a luxurious ‘night club and the three other floors into undercover gambling rooms. The success ‘of his venture hadl heen practically instantancous, ‘The oor show, the orchestra, the euisine, were the best that money could buy; the gambling, rooms offered every known game of chance from roulette to faro, in a Park Avenue setting. Millionaires and professional gamblers flowed through the portals of The Deck and mingied with <ébutantes and siuall-salaried clerks. Some ame to sway to the Deckhiands’ seductive music, others to wager bank notes ‘on the roll of the dice. To the public at large, that was all The Decl: was. But in England and elsewhere, Slade had heard a dif- erent story—a story of sceret rooms in the old house and sliding panels; of subterranean passages anc mys- terious exits; of a Nourishing crime ageney with liwv= Dreakers of all classes registered and always on call; of Nicholas Laznick in a hidden office, controlling a net~ work of agents and directing canning machinations. He had heard of vital information crackling into the seeret headquarters by coded short-wave messages and of careful assignments to picked men; of a percentage of all profits automatically reverting to Laznick and of disaster falling swiftly on double-crossing clients and cheaters. He had heard, also—and a shiver coursed through Him—that whoever registered with Nicholas Laznick had, in effect, sold this soul to the devil. From that moment on, Taznick was his master and the dictator Tt was the price to be paid for the re- wards and protection that the crime director guaranteed. vousness, Slade waited. Every mine He found himself regretting that He found himself laps- ing back into ken state of mind. ‘He waited another hour—and then he met Nicholas The sleek little monoplane was recring dead for the field—upside down! ia a Te happened with tervifying suddenness. Slate had ground out a cigarette on an overflowing tray when he heard a sharp hiss. He swung around, startled, and of white vapor sweeping across saw billowing clouds the room, hhis feet, a shout -of alarm wrenched he entire room had suddenly heen filed i whiteness. The walls, the ceiling, even the floor, had vanished. The stuff swept over Slade, i id terrifying him. He took one frenzied step vard and froze as a voice came through the fog— a voice near ‘at hand, directly in front of hin. "Don't he alarme The words were soft- spoken in the slow, precise English of a forcigner Slade felt perspiration ooze out on his body. “Who's that?” He eould see no one, ing at the white vapor as a swimmer in water. The whine of an clectric motor sounded. The fog began thinning and Slade saw a vague shape materialize be- fore him. ermit me to introduce myself." said the voice, “I am Nicholas Laznick. In a minute the room will be clear of fumes. The su tion pumps are working. Slade stood niotionless, his cyes staring through the iminishing mist, ‘The fig~ ure of the man eame nearer, clearer. “Please sit down,” Laz- nick said, “I am afraid my smoke screen has startled you, captain. Tt is quite theatrical—hut quite neces- sary. No one must know of the secret entrance to this room.” lale sank back to his chair, unnerved. He sew that narrow vents near the eeiling of the room had opened and that the vapor was being sucked swiftly through them. And then, as rapidly as it had filled, the room was back to normal, Laznick was standing, hands on hips, looking down at the Englishman, Slade’s eyes swept over him in a hhurried inspection. He was a giant of a man, over six fect tall, with the physique of a professional wres~ tler. His face was round and fat, with deep pouch under bright agate eyes. He was’ bald. His ma: figure was incredibly neat in a dark serge suit. ‘The Inuge fists that rested on his hips were pudgy and white, On one finger glinted a great diamond, ‘The master criminal smiled genially. “I am honored by your visit, captain. I only regret that I have kept you waiting so long, but I was busy with a plan that may concern you.” Slade found his throat dry and his mind confused. All the coolness and confidence he had planned to dis- play when he met Laznick had heen completely routed by the manner of the man’s arrival. He tried frant cally to rally his wits, to tell this man of the cunning plan he had conceived, but when he spoke it was to blurt abrupt questions. Nick Loznick i BILL BARNES How did you know How do you know who Iam? 1 was coming here?” “You are too modest, captain,” said Laznick, “Who has not heard of the daring sky bandit who swooped down from the air to terrorize all England and France and Germany? T have followed your earcer with great interest and admiration, And I was extremely grieved when T heard the news that you had been forecd to shoot and kill a Scotland Yard detective, It was unfor- tunate, It definitely spelled tie end to your brilliant carcer overseas, And Scotland Yard operatives are per stent fellows—especially when one of their own number nas. been killed.” Lumnick paused and Jeaned forward. “It might in terest you, captain, that Scotland Yard has already traced you to this city, Our local police has been asked to pick you up.” Slade came half out of his chair. here? Are they coming. after. me’ ‘The big man gestured with both hands, “While ‘you remain with me you are safe. You asked how T new you were coming here, My agents reported your movements in detail before and after your fatal encoun- ter with the detective “Wlicn you headed north from Rio de Janciro on a New York-bound fiver, T kmew you were coming to see me. ‘They all do—whe they: get into trouble. TET think: they will he of use in my business, I do all 1 ean to help them—as I have for you. 1 Uhave no use i them—the police g ick them up before thy rive here.” Laznick laughed . L believe you will be use- “Do they know I'm softly. "So, my dear eapta ful fo me and me to you." Hlis eyes drilled into Slade, His manner changed sud~ denly. “He sat up erect. His words were crisp as he shot out: “You are a good airplane pilot, Slade, and a lever, unscrupulous erook. T have use for both of those qualifications. You wish to register in my agency? Yes Slade’s body was tense. He realized with a feeling of horror that he was now completely in the power of the man with the police of two countries hot on his trail; he had no choice hut to mutter: “Yes.” Laznick nodded. “You are wise.” He jabbed a fat finger at the Englishman. “You've heard of the pilot— Bill Barnes? The abrupt question brought Slade upright in his chair. Bill Barnes! Of course he'd heard of the famous ace. The scheme with which he had hoped to impress Laznick had concerned this same Bill Barnes. A rush of words hurried to his lips: “I was going to tell you about him—about Bill Barnes. He's doing something that— There's something we ean pull on him—to- gether. A fortune to be made— Laynick’s eyes had been swallowed by the fatty folds of his face. “Let's hear it” —AIR TRAILS A biplane of the “T have inside information that Barnes is buikling a new superplane. A ship that outclasses his famons Stormer. He's building it secretly. It's going to be a sensation. <\ lot of people would like ty own it. T mean, the war departments of any number of nations. They'd pay a fortune for it, 1 thought we might plan to get hold of it or the detziled plans.” The master criminal’s lips twisted. “Yes. T know about this airplane, It is now nearing completion at Barnes Field out on Long Island. What you say is true, captain, Many people would like to possess it. 1 have, in fact, veceived definite order to sccure this plane for an Fastern power. ‘They are willing to pay a staggering amount of money for it. I turned them down.” “What!” 1 umed them down.” Laznick stroked his big hands. “You must know very little about this man Barnes to question my decision. To get that plane away, from him by force is virtually impossible. Tis airport, is protected in every conceivable manner. He has a fleet t-fighting ships and a squad of loyal, expert pilots ‘Since the construction of that plane was first started his guards have been doubled. Every precaution has been taken. We woul! be up against terrific opposition. A clever idea of yours, captain, but quite impracti Lazick’s eyes smoldered. “T asked you if you knew of Barnes. “You co. What { am about to tell you has nothing to do with this new airplane, Tt coneerns Barnes only in a very minor degree, fortunately. Otherwise T wotld have nothing to do with it, Tam about to relate the details of your first assignment from my agency.” Slade sat motionless. He listened, spellhound, as Laz- nick continued. “FIVE YEARS AGO, an ounce of radium worth two rillion dollars was stolen from the Hudson Research Foundation of this city. The thief was a Dr. Benjamin Hawthorne. Neither hé'nor the radium have been found to this day. Dr. Hawthorne had been a scientist on the staff of the foundation “His work had to do with radium research. He was a brilliant man and believed that he was on the threshold Of discovering an elixir of life—a eure-all—by the use of 13 radii. ‘The foundation frowned on this phase of his work and refused to permit him to conduet further re- search along these lines. “The theft was made on a Friday and wasn't diseov- cred until the following Monday. ‘The doctor had left a note in the empty radium safe frankly stating that, as it was impossible to carry on his work at the foundation, hhe had ‘borrowed’ the radium and was going to a se- cluded spot to work in peace. He promised that when his work was successfully terminated he would rewrn the radium, So far, nothing has been heard of him. “The foundation inmmeslately began an intensive search for Dr. Hawthorne, and it was learned that he had hired a young free-lance pilot to fly him out to Seattle. The sant was located and told of landing the doctor at the Seattle airport and then. returning back Fast. Fle knew ing more. ‘That yong pilot was Bill Barnes. “Seattle and the surrounding eountry was searched for the doctor without any suecess. He had simply vanished without leaving a clue, ‘The investigation was hotly pursued for two years and then dropped "Dr. Hawthorne was a widower with two sons— Howard and Ralph, They lived in the old family house in the village of Leamington, New York, ‘The elder son, Howard, had just begun practicing medicine when his father disappeared, He felt the disgrace keenly and, not heing an overly strong-willed person, took and finally to dope. ‘That's how he beeam me. He's now registered with my agency—my staff doctor. “The other son, Ralph, was just a boy: when his father left. A year later he taame crippled with arthritis Recently, he has moved from the family house in Leam- ington to a sniall farm ten miles to the north to spend the summer. 1 tell you all these details for very: good reasons, captain.” Lamiick pansedl, drew a handkerchief from and mopped his broad forehead, “While you were waiting here this morning, Slade, he-went on, "I was talking to the older son, Howard Hawthorne. An extraordinary thing has happened. Ralph Havthorne has reécived a letter from his long father! Howard found out about the Jetter a few days alter its arrival. Ralph had destroyed it by then but his brother learned these facts: From the date on the letter it had been written two months previously. Yet the envelope hiad Leen postmarked in Seattle but three days ago. is pocket The father wrote that he was heing forcibly detained somewhere and that he was dying. His experiments had failed. But before he died he wished to get the radium back to the foundation. He gave detailed dirce- tions as to how to reach him and instructed Ralph to hire Bill Barnes to fly him out. He doesn’t know of Ralph's crippled condition. He further instructed the boy to tell the directions to no one but Barnes and to burn the letter. “Ralph immediately got in touch with Bill Barnes and the flier has wired that he'll land his Stormer at the farm to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock. After hearing all these details, Howard came directly to me. He hates his father bitterly, blaming him for his own disgrace—and he knows the value of that radium, here's the history of the case. T need an expert pilot. I'm ccaling you in, Slade. You're getting the biggest break T've ever given any man. Remember, T|: paella tetera hold your life in the palm of my hand. ‘The slightest indication of double-crossing means your finish. Under- stand?” Slade understood all too well. He said, hesitantly : “Yes. But, Barnes—is going to land up there to-morrow Laanick shook his head impatiently. “Of course, he's, going to land, We won't try to stop him. Ralph cannot fr bed, but he'll be watching for the Stormer. ind all right, but Barnes will never hear ‘But, this Ralph—he won't tell them to any one but Barnes. You said that. How're you going to—” “Everything's figured out. Ralph will talk to no one but Barnes. ‘True enough. Whercin lies my plan: Howard Hawthorne, a few of my men and you will eave immediately for the farm. With you will go an actor similar in build and looks to Bill Bares. My make-up man, an expert in disguise, has been working on this actor. He's created a duplicate Bill Barnes. “To-morrow morning—” Laznick’s voice fell to a whisper. The Englishman leaned forward, strained to ‘catch each word of the conning plan that was to insnare the king of pilots and bring great wealth to the murderer, Captain Gregory Slade, Not faces of flesh and blood, but glowing human skulls glared from the black hoods. Only 0s the gun blasted scarlet flame di Bill, numbed with horror, throw himself as BILL BARNES THEFT TT WAS ten o'clock on the black night of June 10th when Bill Barnes, the world-famous pilot, left the busi- ness offices in the administration building, his arms crowded with business books and records. He went direct to his secret study. Two: hours Tater, the armed guard swung open the door to admit “Shorty” Hassfurther. ‘The veteran pilot's rugged face was smeared with oil and grease, and his shite overall suit was grimy “Yeah, Bill Bill swung down from a stool in front of a crowded drafting board. His broad shoulders were slumped. He motioned to an easy-chair. “Sit down, fella, T want to talk.” His ean face was haggard. Blue smudges underlined his red-rimmed blue eyes. He was wearing a white shirt open at the neck, and tan corduroy slacks. ‘Phe two men sat on cither side of a long table, Bill slapped down a file folder and shed a stack of business bool verything all right upstairs?” he asked. ‘Sure,” said Shorty. A_gleam brightened his eyes) “She's a honey, Bill. You've sureAIR TRAILS 15, gone to town on this design. She's going to make the === old Stormer look like a crate. Two months ago T would have shot any one for saying that.” ‘A half. smile lifted the corners of Bill's thin lip then vanished. “It better be good.” His words were snuunbled, Shorty looked at him sharply. “What's biting you, Bill? You look all in. Hell, you ought to get a good night’s sleep. Take it Everything's almost set.” il Bill stared down at the file folder. “I called you in, Shorty, to tell you something that I don’t want the rest to know.” He hesitated and t up agaist it for money. T just got wi have known better” His eves locked with Shorty’s. this afternoon, [ should have been sticking to bu “When Warwick left he had falsified the books to the instead of the drafting board, I guess. I must De getting extent of forty thousand dolkars,” old, T would have trusted Bennie Warwiel to the end Shorty ssickedl in his breath, His face went livid. He started from his chair, his lips twisted. “Why 4l started forward, “Bennie Warwick! What's little" Bill put np a hand, ake it easy, We can't de any Warwick had been business manayer at the Barnes thing about it, It's gone,” Airport, For the previous six weeks hte had been away “Can't do anything about it! We'll fon a doctor-prescribed! yacation to stave off a complete back here by nervous breakdown, Bill shook his head. “I see it now. T gave the guy . Shorty,” Bill put in quietly. “T've just received too mutch leeway. put temptation in his way. I shuld word that Warwick shot himself, He's dead. They of the earth ty drag that crook: iis heels. No guy's going to get awayr b ; Lack when he'd completed them. The ki 16 found him in. Mexico City—penniless.” He shrugged. gone. We're ina hole, And we have to get out “When did you get wise?” “This afternoon. The bank phoned. They said we were away overdrawn, I said that was impossible and looked up the books. Everything's a mess. No seuse going into detail. T'm having accountants come in in the inorning.” He ran his fingers through his dishey- led mop of blond hair. Neitlier man spoke for minutes, ‘Then, Bill looked up and half smiled, “You know, fella, the money's bad enough. But, welll get out of that’ somehow. But what hurts is that Warwick would double-cross me He's been here almost from the start. It wasn’t a natural thing for him todo, T may be overly suspicious, but it looks as if some one else is back of it all. I hope T'm wrong. “But, we have to have money—fast. We've nad precious little come in for months, Plenty of work, sure. Pulling other people's chestnuts out of the fire—and suffering plenty of loss doing it, Not that I'm com- plaining. “The damage to the field here from that last bombing cost a fortune. That and the ships that've heen washed ‘out. And on top of everything, T've been spending money like a drunken sailor on the new plane, More than I figured, But, T wasn’t wor i 4 Shorty glowered, “To think of that little sawed-off shrimp clipping us for forty grand. If I could get my hands on him, I'd choke the life clean out of him.” “The life's gone,” said Bill gently. He sank back in his chair and opencd the file folder. “We'll just have to fine up some paying business. I'm flying up-State in the morning. Something may be stirring. T don't know It's sort of a sequel to an ofd job T did, years ago, before got the gang together here.” He pushed a small stack of newspaper clippings across the table “Read ‘em. They're from sheets five years back: Shorty read the faded pieces of newsprint. He looked up. “Yeah, I remember something about this Dr. Hav- thorne. Forgotten you flew him. You mean this thing's opened up again?” Hill nodded. “Maybe. The other day I received letter from his young son, Ralph. ‘The kid didn't tell me much, THe was anxious to sce me and said he'd ha news of his dad, He asked me to fly up to his farm, Shorty scowled. “You'd better tell the coppers. Two tnilfion_ bucks — “No. The kid wants it treated confidentially. You regard it the same-way. I'm telling you about it just in case of trouble, understand? ‘The kid's a cripple, can't move from his bed. T wired him Td be up to- morrow morning at eleven.” “You think there's a good dough angle?” Bill. shrugged. f we could recover the radium. The Hudson Foundation has posted a standing reward of fifty thousand for the return of the stuff. It’s worth over two million. ‘The old doc went away to work ‘on his experiments. He promised to bring the radium I's letter shows “Perhaps: BILL BARNES he's still alive, He may want me to fly him back to New York. If he has the radium, I'd collect the reward, for part of it, Sounds simple.” “Fifty-thousand reward!” Shorty’s eyes brightened. “That'd wipe out this other thing, huh? “Won't do any harm to have a look in any case. While I'm away, stick to the ustal routine, No visitors Keep the boys driving ahead, I want to text that ship as soon as possihle, And watch for the slightest sign of trouble. Nothing's happened so iar—but. that doesn't ‘mean that nothing: will.” He leaned back in his chair. “That's all, Shorty. Keep quiet about Warwick and the rest.” BILL. remained in the study long after that, going carefully over the business ledgers. ‘The clock showed three a. m, when he closed the last hook and went with Jean feet past the armed guard and up the steps. ‘The blackness of the moonless night hung like a pall the entire airport when he came out of the adminis tration building and started down the roadway toward is bungalow. All field lights had long since heen ex- tinguished in obeyance of strict orders. From the air above, nothing was to betray the presence of the airport to spying eyes, Bill stopped, his gaze swinging instinctively toward Hangar Number 6—the construction hangar. A faint thread of fight showed beneath the closed metal doors and from inside came the muffled whine of racing ma- jinery. Those were the only indications of the feverish activity within, Squads of men, on a night shift, were Iaboring under high tension over the airplane that was rapidly nearing completion. Since the very first, Bill had taken no chances with the safety of his new plane. The detailed drawings and plans had seareely left the drafting boards, the actual construction work had barely begun, when to the ears of the famous pilot had come rumors and threats. And he had realized, bitterly. that in spite of his strict censor- ship the seeret news had somehow filtered to the outside From that moment on, the guards had been redoubled and every precantion against violence and stealth had been taken, Bill stood in the eool blackness, his eyes staring unsee- the direction of the hangar. He saw in that mo- ment the plane completed—a superplanc—the fastest g in the worki—a comet of speed—a blir of silver a it slashed across the skies, Its name—the Lancer — His worries vanished under the spell of the vision and his airman’s soul responded. And then, he dropped nek to reality with a jarring thud, ‘The image of the Lancer was gone: the powerful scream of pound Diesels fell away: the silver thing of beauty that had streaked through his mind vanished, He was once again standing alone on the eonercte roadway. Once again the bitter truth he had leaned that day confronted hina He hadn't told Shorty everything. He hadn’t realized it himself, then. His final examination of the books had shown that he was standing on the very threshold of bankruptcy, And if that happened—everything would be swept away. His dreams woud crumble to dust. He would have to start all over again. He moved ahead, slowly, his head bowed. his straight, muscular body drooping. He walked to his bungalow.7 AIR TRAILS:And once inside, he slowly undressed. He knew that he needed rest. But, shen he stretched out on his bed with the cool breeze of the early morning sweeping over his figure, sleep failed to come. His thoughts were milling, whirling, torturing. He heard the clock strike four. Tt was only then that his exhausted body stifled his worsies and he slept. HILTHE TRAP BILL had been busy in his offce since breakfast. His watch read fen minutes after ten when he hurriedly pulled on a white overall flying suit and went outside. He found Shorty, Martin, and two mechanies waiting can the apron. Bill said to Shorty P? Shorty shrugged his broad shoulders, “He's fn town—been in town since erack of dawn, ‘This is Thursday.” “Thursday to do with it?” Shorty’s mouth fell open. He stared at Bill ineredu- ously. “You don't know——" He slapped his thigh and kuughed. “Don’t tell me you've missed this one, Sandy's worried about getting Bald. He goes into New. York every Thursday morning for a sealp treatment or Bill frowned. “What's Thursday got The Lancer's pontoons touched the lonely waters. something. I thought you'd have smelled that hair tonic he uses a mile away. “Getting bald! That kid gets the damedest notions. ‘The pilot swung abruptly around as a distant drone came to his ears. He put his hanels up to shade his eyes anil stared into the distant skies. at's the Eaglet nov Sithonetted against the bright-biue sky was a matel The drone inereased: the plane raced nearer, became a gull-winged monoplane, It was the Faglet— “Sandy” Sanders’ little private ship: the ship that was carried in the belly of the transport to be released and picked up in mid-air. Bill scowled. “Look, Shorty—s The kid's flying her in on her back. see what T see? BILL BARNES Shorty emitted a grant, “Sure is, What the hel The sleek monoplane was roaring dead on for the field in an inverted! position, the retracted pontoon gear raised to the heavens. Bill frowned in sudden concern, The nose dropped suddenly and the machine dived precipitously for the little group on the apron. The thunder of the pounding engine blasted across the fick!, ‘The Eaglet phiimeted down to within two hundred feet and then, with a shrill seream, zoomed willly, flattened out and rolled right side up. ‘The trim little ship circled. The underearriage ‘came down into position and the Haglet fishtailed in for a fast huding, Bill looked! at his watch and waited, grim-faced, while the machine sped down the concrete runway to the apron. ‘The Eaglet came to a braked stop. swung around. Two mechanics ran to it as a small, white-garbed figure vaulted from the cockpit. Sandy Sanders, the kid ace of the Bares’ fighting pilots, came over toward Bill, a grin on his freckled face, He pulled off a white helmet and swung it at his side, Hi, Bill!” he said breezily. Hi,” said Bill, “I don’t like that stunting a litte Dit, You trying to kill yourself?" Sandy frowned. “What you mean—flying upside down’ T always thought he was top-heavy." said “You ought to try landing like that sometime, kid. Sandy said: “Nut Haven't you got any better sense than to act that way?” said Bill. ‘That's part of the treatment, Bill,” the boy said indig- nantly. “I thought it up myself. “Tt makes the blood rush to your head.” Bill's eyes widened. “The blood rush to Se an ae aeRO Sl ows of Mood to them? If they don't get it, they starve and die. Then you get bald and nothing ean help you. he real treatnient is to stand on your head for fire minutes before meals. But 1 thought up the idea of flying upside down.” Bill clapped aha (to his forehead, “Ye gods!” Sandy nodded, “Yeah, your hair is receding, ill You'd better watch out. Blond hair goes the fastest Now my advice is to get some treatments before those glands all die, His eyes brightened. ‘Look, I'll make an appoint nent for you, Say, to-morrow at ten o'clock at the Salon dle Coillure on Fifth Avenue. That's where T go. FM Nave Henri look after you. e's the best coiffeur in the city. I'd be bald as a billiard ball nove except for Henri, Me told me so himself. The price for each treat- sent is five dollars. But 1 ean get the whole series for you for fifty bucks. ‘That's all T paid. With that you get a pint of Scalp Awakencr—a tonie, and lotion especially prepared by Hen, Himself. And it comes in tn expeaisive French contsiner— He tugged at a bulging side pocket im his ying suit and brought out a round white object the size ofa grape- fruit and cleverly modeled to resemble a miniature Im- ‘man skull Shorty nudged Bill. “I forgot to tell y skull, That's what you'll look like when you ignored the remark and unscrewed the top of Sandy Inside was a cavity (Tur 10 page 46) the pottery object. eTDevelopment of Mail Planes THE FURST AIR IMAL FLEW FROM ee oad He LLNY,TO JAMAIA LLM, SEPT IE,1 911. THE. CAST ye ULAR SERVICE BEGAN (TAK 15,1 AB, F ROUT NEW YORK 70 WASHINGTON 1/8 DE HAVILAND (HAUL PLANES FLEW (0 PH. AND CARRIED 2000485. {79.26 CURTIS CARRIER PIGEON” HAIL PLANE COULD DO 125 12H. _ AND CARRY 2017 LBS.OF PALL. LP 1927 DOUGLAS [72 Al PLANE FLEW 143 (1PHANO CARRIED 2O58LE5. OF. MA on TYRE OF 1950 FORD nA ox cilia ALAM ~~ — CAPACI 5 ODOPOINDS aa THE ODER DOUGLAS DC-2 FOR | SLLD 215 /1PH. MAM. AND PASSENGER SERVICE. CAPACITY 690 L85.The World's Flere’s a bow-to-stern survey of the by John DuBarry Dr. Hugo Eckoner SHEEP, a rooster and a duck. Bleating, eack- ing, quacking in wikl alarm as their cage sways off the ground beneath a queer-looking hot-air x Valloon. The first living ereatures to Aly. One hundred 1Z-129 and fifty-three years ago. | arenge tos ft 10 in To-day, fifty people chatting, watching from wide wins | Height 146 ft. 8 in dows as their floating palace rises slowly and he Largest diameter. 138 ft. 2 in anove over the patterned landscape. Forty men to serve | Fineness ratio (length divided | them and the great ship that carries them, The strength | po,2™@itmetes) same of four thousand four hundred horses harnessed in intri- | Nominal gas volume cate machinery to drive them through the air to far- | Number of gas cells away countries, Weight of ship with necessary : Equipment and {uel 430,950 Tbs. Lighter-than-air ships were man’s first successful fly- Payload. in form of 50 pas ing vehicles. ‘They antedated the first heavier-than-air Sengers Gneluding™ food planes by considerably more than a hundred years, Per- | and other requisites)... 15470 Ibs, haps it was that long head start that enabled the airship | Pavload, im form of Freight, to develop the periection that is embodied in the latest | Totat "payload 41,900 Tbe, iarvel of the skies—the new rigid dirigible balloon 1 Total it (ander standard con 1 ditions) ‘972,940 ths, There is no doubt that the airship today ean outite | Bneinets # Marcedee Bens anid outdistance the most powerful airplane. Designers | Total power output S400 of the heavier-than-air machines have worked at tense | Auxiliary Diesel electric gen- pace during the generation and a half since the Wright | 7, erator engines. fetssi lees oar brothers first Mew their plane. Tn that time—fitle more | Zap. treed in Pe enatye toe: thant one-fifth of the balloon’s history—they have accom- | Range at cruising speed 6750 miles plished wonders, But they have not yet caught up with | Maximum fuel eapacity the balloon in two qualities, atthe least, which are highly | 4. _ (Diesel ot) 143,550 Tb, important to man’s current activity in the air—wv ere ee carrying and long-distance flying, The contest between air- ship and airplane, however, has never been clear-cut, “Phere is too nnch to be said for each side to give either { of them a definite victory. Each can do things which the other ean not. ‘The air- hip can remain aloit for an ndefinte period without re- Tying on fuel or power, it can slows down in flight to a standstill, and it can land vertically, if necessary. On the other hand, it requires elaborate, specialized ground-handling facilities, ‘The airplane can land by nt ‘A comparison of two giants of the oir.Biggest Aircraft LZ-129 dirigible, newest luxury liner of the sky and first craft to start North Atlantic air mail and passenger service. 2 the performance of ‘the leading ocean liners, Tt has self on almost any level str- face of moderate size; im the air it is capable of intricate maneuvers and can change its position and location rap- idly within a large or small Tn characteristies that can be held common to both types of aircratt, namely: straight- away speed, traveling range, load, and practicability of construction, the airplane is admittedly the airship’s master speed and construction cost. ‘These are im portant items in our present-day hurried,